Outdoor portrait photography: tips for choosing backgrounds and lighting

Here are some tips on how to choose the best backgrounds and make the most of the light to capture stunning outdoor portraits:

1. Background selection:

• Natural Elements: Look for natural elements such as trees, flowers, water or rocks that can provide interesting textures and colors.
• Clean backgrounds: Avoid distracting elements like trash cans or traffic signs in the background. A simple, clean background lets the main subject stand out.
• Use depth of field: Use a large aperture (small f-number) to blur the background and highlight the main subject.
• Contrast: Look for a background that provides an interesting contrast to the main subject to create visual interest.

2. Lighting:

• Take advantage of golden hours: The hours just after sunrise and just before sunset offer soft, warm light that is ideal for portraits. Avoid harsh midday lights, which can create harsh shadows.
• Use reflectors: Reflectors can be used to manipulate existing light and soften shadows. They can also be used to brighten the main subject and give it a soft glow.
• Shady areas: If the light is too strong, look for shady areas to get softer and more even light. Trees or buildings can provide natural shade.
• Cloudy skies: A cloudy sky can act as a natural diffuser, spreading soft, even light across the entire subject.

3. Experiment:

• Change perspective: Try different angles and perspectives to create interesting compositions.
• Colors and patterns: Consider the model's clothing and choose a background that harmonizes or contrasts with the colors and patterns.
• Capture movement: Use the wind or ask the model to move slightly to get dynamic and lively images.

Outdoor portrait photography offers a variety of opportunities to create creative and unique images. By carefully choosing the background and cleverly using the light, you can capture stunning portraits that perfectly reflect the beauty of nature and the personality of the model. Experiment, be creative and have fun looking at the world through your lens!

If you have also captured impressive outdoor portrait photography , please tag us on Instagram and Facebook with the hashtag #jinbeifotobox . We look forward to seeing your results!